Acts 16:25-31 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.

vs 30-31 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

As I read through these verses, the Lord ministered to my heart. He showed me that I need to learn how to praise Him in the midst of my storms. In other words, I should learn how to sing praises to Him regardless of my circumstances: Praise Him when things are going well, Praise Him when I’m going through the storms of life, and Praise Him whether I feel like it or not.

This is what Paul and Silas did. They praised God when they were sitting in a prison. The verse says that they were praying and singing hymns to God. Wow! When I’m facing a trial or going through one, my immediate response is, “Lord, deliver me from this situation”. But the Lord wants me to learn how to Praise Him in the midst of my pain and hardships. He has a purpose for them, just as He had a purpose for Paul and Silas. The Lord brought them to that particular prison in order to bring salvation to the keeper of the prison, and not only him, but to save his household too.

I wonder what valley you are facing today. Instead of running from the situation or praying for deliverance like I was, ask God to show you what His will and purpose is for the circumstance you are in. Ask God, “Lord, what is it that you want me to learn from this situation?”, “How can I bring glory to your name in the midst of what I’m going through?” These are hard questions to ask when you are facing adversity. I had to learn this and I’m still learning today how to seek God and His wisdom in my storms. But what I’ve learned is that God is Faithful and He has given me His peace and wisdom in my times of testing. He has never left my side and He never will. Hebrews 13:5 says For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” At the end of my trials, my situations have turned out for my good and for His glory. God has a purpose for our pain and hardships. Ask Him to give you His strength to learn how to sing Praises to Him regardless of your circumstances. He is Faithful and He will walk you through your valleys. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Your trials will turn out for your good and they will bring glory and honor to His holy name. Trust Jesus. He will never disappoint you nor leave you. Cling tightly to Him and know that He is working all things for your good. He turns difficulties into testimonies and He makes broken things whole again in His own way and according to His purposes. Praise the Lord!

Psalm 34:1 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Romans 8:28-30 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom He predestined, these He also called, whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.